Your 101 Guide To Fire Extinguisher Servicing

You’ve noticed it straight away though and feel confident you can put it out before it escalates. You reach for the fire extinguisher that’s been positioned on the wall for several years.

You follow the instructions and…nothing happens! Your fire extinguisher has let you down when you need it the most. You’re left with the sinking feeling that this small fire will develop fast. You’d better evacuate and hope the fire crew can get there quickly, otherwise the whole place will go up.

Different Servicing For Different Types Of Fire Extinguisher

There are two main types of extinguisher; stored pressure fire extinguishers and cartridge operated fire extinguishers.

Here is what you can expect from both basic and extended services, carried out by a professional engineer, for each different type of extinguisher.

Stored Pressure Fire Extinguishers

These extinguishers are always pressurised with dry air or oxygen free compressed nitrogen. These are usually water, powder or foam.

They are the most commonly available fire extinguishers on the market and can be used on a range of different fires, depending on the specific type of stored pressure extinguisher you have.

A basic service should be carried out once a year by a qualified engineer and will consist of the following:

Visual inspection of the extinguisher, particularly looking out for corrosion, signs of wear and tear or damage.

Making sure the operating instructions are clear and easily visible.

Inspection and Replacement of the tamper seal to the extinguisher, ensuring the lever is in full working order and the pin can be released with ease upon use.

Check the gauge is in working order by performing a gauge test, clearly displaying a year dot on the gauge glass itself once this is completed. (co2 extinguishers will not have a gauge).

Removal of the extinguisher hose/horn checking it is air tight with no signs of damage tears in the lining or rubber.

Replacement of the hose/horn o ring.

Recording the weight of the extinguisher and, if above 10% weight loss (total gross weight), investigation should occur and re-charge/refill if necessary.

A general wipe down of the extinguisher from dust, dirt and debris.

Extinguisher label to be signed correctly with all information required by qualified person.

Check that the wall mountings are secure and placement of the extinguisher back on the wall accompanied with an ID sign above each extinguisher.

An extended service for a stored pressure extinguisher

Should be conducted once every five years and consists of a basic service as above, but includes;

Full discharge of the fire extinguisher.

A check of all removable parts for signs of corrosion, damage or blockages.

Check internal linings of the extinguisher for corrosion/damage

Rinse out water based extinguishers with clean water before refilling

Replacement of all hose rings and headcap ‘O’ rings.

Re-fill using the correct manufacturer solution

Re-pressure the extinguisher accordingly.

Cartridge Operated Fire Extinguishers

The difference with cartridge operated extinguishers is the cylinder itself (which still contains an extinguishing agent like water, foam or powder), isn’t pressurised.

They come with an additional gas cartridge which contains highly pressurised CO2.

This pressure is released once the handle is squeezed which, in turn, pierces through the gas cartridge.

Servicing a cartridge extinguisher is the same as stored pressure, but instead of recharging the extinguisher with compressed gas, the internal co2 cylinder is simply replaced for new.

Cartridge extinguishers do not have a pressure gauge this is how you can tell the 2 apart.

Should You Service Or Get A New Extinguisher?

This is something that your engineer or technician will be best advising you on. Often, a five-year extended service can be a lot more cost effective to a customer than replacing extinguishers.

Various things like the regularity of basic services, whether the extinguishers have been used and how they have been historically maintained can all have an impact on which option is safest and most cost-effective.

It’s worth noting that, as a guideline, all extinguishers should be replaced after 20 years. (co2 extinguishers would be 10 years) If in doubt, speak to a fire safety specialist.

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